Historic Preservation: Where Do We Go From Here?

  Jeffrey at Daytonology has an interesting post concerning the process of historic preservation in this town (or the lack of it). He refers to the recent DDN editorial which laments the fate of Building 26, but the article’s focus is more on asking the question, “What historic Dayton structures are worth saving and how do we determine that?” Preservation Dayton has a list of endangered structures on its website, but where’s the community buy-in? Dayton History, the organization which manages Carillon exhibits and programs, recently announced plans of a major overhaul of the park; but what should be its role, if any, in promoting historic preservation within the Dayton community? The editorial makes the claim that communities across the nation are “using history of far less consequence” than Dayton’s to spur economic development. What role should the Dayton Development Coalition be playing in preserving and promoting our history as an economic development tool?

Progress on Saving the Arcade

Jeff at Daytonology and the DDN report on a new plan being advocated by Dayton developers for reusing the Arcade complex. This particular plan, first briefed on October 21 by Bob Shiffler and David Bohardt, holds great promise.

UPDATE 11/06/07: I just found out from Susan Gruenberg, the person who honchoed the Urban Nights event at the Arcade on September 15, that the Arcade rotunda will again be open for public tours the evening of the Grande Illumination, Friday, November 23. More information to come!

Arcade a Hit on Urban Nights

Downtown Dayton was rockin' Friday evening and one of the hottest spots for Urban Nights was the venerable Arcade, not seen by the general public since its closing in 1991. Read the Dayton Daily News article on the event.

Sep 17 UPDATE: See the DDN video that was done Friday evening.

Another Building 26 Update

Nothing really new in the DDN this morning, just sad. Even before the push that forced UD to give their decision to tear down Building 26 a little more thought (in June). . . even before they announced they were forming a committee to determine how to memorialize the work of Joe Desch and his colleagues, UD had already made up its mind. I spoke with a volunteer at Dayton History in the early Spring who said that UD and Dayton History had already decided to set up a memorial to the work in Building 26 at Carillon Park. It'll be interesting to see what goes on the corner of Stewart and Patterson Blvd. Why has the university been so silent about its plans for that area?  Just speculating, but I won't be surprised if someone with deep pockets really wants that corner and is willing to "donate" big bucks to UD. If anyone is more enlightened on the issue, please speak up.

More on the Engineers Club

See today's DDN on some more interesting features of the Engineers Club on Monument. The piece about the clock is interesting.  It's also good to know that it will be on the National Register of Historic Places. The featured picture is the auditorium which is quite similar to the Renaissance auditorium at the DAI. 

Dayton's Arcade: Truly Distinctive, Truly Dayton

The Downtown Dayton Arcade is perhaps the most distinctive piece of architecture in our city. The Flemish-style facade on Third Street and sun-drenched arcade of shops beckon you to the breathtaking rotunda that stood as Dayton's central marketplace. This special place speaks volumes about the robust commercial past of the Gem City. Can Dayton's present leaders and citizens make this jewel the centerpiece of Dayton's future?

The Engineers Club: An Innovative Place

Downtown Dayton was hopping last weekend with the Celtic Festival, and many people strolling along Monument Avenue no doubt asked themselves what the significance is of the stately two storey building across the street from Riverscape. The Engineers Club has been standing guard along Dayton's riverfront since its dedication in 1918, although the organization itself was founded in 1914 by Colonel Edward A. Deeds and Charles F. Kettering, who were members of an informal group called "The Barn Gang." But the venerable institution is not just a relic of Dayton's industrial past. It still is a center of innovation where professionals get together to network and share creative ideas.

Can we save the Arcade?

Though the arcade had been shut down long before I arrived in Dayton in 2001, I am completely aware of its symbolic significance to this city.  In many ways, one can say that it actually represents Dayton's present-day struggles.  Will it survive and thrive, or will it fall victim to the lack of pride and commitment from the citizens of this region?  Yes, that is a question that applies to both the Arcade as well as the City of Dayton. A new group called Friends To Save The Arcade has formed to see if they can save the Arcade from its enormous tax liens and impending demolition.  Dayton Business Journal Link: New group seeks to 'save' The Arcade - Dayton Business Journal:.

A grass-roots effort to save The Arcade met for the first time Wednesday afternoon. The group, called Friends to Save the Arcade, is working to raise funds to pay down delinquent taxes on The Arcade, a set of historic buildings on the block between Ludlow and Main streets and Third and Fourth streets. The current lienholder of $250,000 in back taxes can foreclose on the property by the end of the year if The Arcade owner can't pay down the debt. That's where Friends to Save the Arcade comes in, said Leon Bey, member of the group's steering committee. Bey said the group will look for volunteers to host fundraisers, parties and other events to collect money to help pay down the taxes.

Drive Less, Live More: Street Cars Are the Way to Go!

Cincinnati seems to be jumping on the national bandwagon for restoring their street car system. If Dayton's leadership wants to take advantage of the recent trends in attracting the creative class and making Dayton a more liveable and exciting city, could we learn from Portland by expanding our electric trolley system into a modern streetcar design? Mayor McLin, your counterpart in Cincinnati is giving his full backing to this. Where do you stand for Dayton? Imagine a streetcar line down Wayne Avenue connecting South Park with the Oregon and St. Annes Hill, Downtown connecting East with West Third Street across the Peace Bridge, Wright-Dunbar, the Veterans Complex off Gettysburg, Grafton Hill, Dayton View, Old North Dayton, Huffman, McPherson Town. Cmon Folks, give us your thoughts!

Saving Building 26: Another View

On May 18, a letter from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to the Ohio Historic Preservation Office revealed that the ASC report commissioned by the University of Dayton on the viability of NCR Building 26 being eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places was flawed. On the same day, Preservation Dayton submitted a new report to OHPA that questioned ASC's methodology and contested their findings. According to the Preservation Dayton report, the historic structure was indeed eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.